Progress of circulating-tumor DNA in the precise medicine for advanced-stage cancer

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection is one of liquid biopsy analysis. It has shown promising clinical application in cancer precise medicine due to its noninvasive sampling and real-time observation. Nowadays, ctDNA analysis has been clinically validated and successfully applied in advanced cancer, including selecting personalized treatment, monitoring treatment responses, minimal residual disease and recurrence. Although there has been rapidly increasing interests in ctDNA, its clinical application in cancer precise medicine is still facing few challenges, especially in screening and diagnosing cancer at early stages. Here, the latest progress in the applications and challenges of ctDNA in advancedstage tumor therapy were reviewed to provide references for future studies on ctDNA. Key words: Circulating tumor DNA; Neoplasms; Precision medicine; Biomarkers, tumor